Dashabhuja Ganapati Temple is in Rayadurgam, a historic town in Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh. It is situated on a small hillock near the famous Rayadurg Fort.
The temple’s presiding deity is Lord Ganesha in a rare and majestic form known as Dashabhuja Ganapati, which means “Ten-Armed Ganapati”. Unlike the usual four-armed form of Ganesha, here the idol has ten arms and also features three eyes (Trinetra). He is seen with his consort Siddhi, who is depicted seated on his left thigh, embracing him. This unique form symbolizes wisdom, power, protection, and completeness.
The idol of Dashabhuja Ganapati is a massive monolithic structure, carved out of a single black granite rock. It measures approximately 15 feet tall and 12 feet wide. The idol stands in an open mandapam with a small roof built around it for protection. The temple complex is simple, with minimal architectural ornamentation, allowing full attention to the divine presence of the huge idol. Devotees believe that the idol mysteriously appears to grow over time.
The temple is believed to have been built around the 12th century CE, during the rule of the Vijayanagara Empire or under later Nayaka rulers. The idol may have even existed earlier, and the temple was later developed around it. It was rediscovered by locals and gained popularity over time as stories of miracles and fulfilled wishes spread. Rayadurgam itself is a historic town with deep links to medieval South Indian history and houses a large fort built by rulers of the Vijayanagara dynasty.
Long ago, within the ancient Rayadurgam Fort, locals discovered a massive idol of Lord Ganesha hidden under layers of stone and vegetation. The idol was unlike any other — it had ten powerful arms (Dashabhuja), three divine eyes (Trinetra), and the rare presence of Siddhi Devi, Goddess of success and accomplishment, embracing Ganesha from his left side.
According to local belief, the idol is Swayambhu (self-manifested), not carved by human hands. The power of this form is said to be so intense that anyone who offers sincere prayers and presents a whole, unbroken coconut (purna tenkaya) will have their desires fulfilled within 41 days. Many devotees have experienced this and returned to offer thanksgiving prayers.
There is also a widespread belief that the idol appears to grow over time, which adds to its mystical nature. Some elders in the area say that Ganesha revealed himself to a sage or king in a dream, guiding them to the location of the hidden idol inside the fort, which led to the temple’s establishment.
The temple celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi with devotion and large gatherings, featuring decorations, abhishekam, alankaram, and cultural events. Sankashti Chaturthi is observed monthly with fasting and prayers. Special pujas are also conducted every Sunday.
